The India Foundation of Metropolitan Princeton, based in West Windsor, is celebrating its 38th anniversary at its annual picnic at Mercer County Park East on Sunday, August 9, from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. There will be activities for all ages. For sports enthusiasts, there is cricket, volleyball, and badminton. For kids there is a running race, three-legged race, face painting, and a balloon artist who will twist the balloons into creations of their choice. Other activities include a lemon and spoon race, three-legged race, and musical chairs for women. For those interested in movies and songs there is Antakshari, an game in which players sing songs starting with the last consonant in the previous song.
There will also be bingo, dance, and music. Bring your picnic chairs. Admission is free for members. Guest tickets are $15 for adults and $10 for students and senior citizens. Register at www.ifmpnj.org.
“The annual summer picnic is becoming a cultural and social oasis for the community to come together, make new friends, reconnect with Indian culture and traditions and enjoy a fun filled family outing with the community,” says Sanjay Phanse, president of IFMP and a West Windsor resident.
India Foundation of Metropolitan Princeton, a non-profit organization established in 1977, is one of the oldest community organizations serving the cultural and social needs of the Indian community residing in the Mercer County area. IFMP has been bringing the community together with various events throughout the year, including Holi, a festival of colors where color, kites, fun, and food provide a backdrop to welcoming spring. Navratri with garba and dandia is a traditional Indian dance festival celebrated in autumn. The annual dance program features more than 200 kids, ranging from elementary to high school, who present their talent at the onset of winter.
This year IFMP has been making strides with participation in Plainsboro Founders Day Parade, establishing scholarships and community service awards to graduating students from High Schools North and South, and the launch of the IFMP Golden group to serve the needs of the aging Indians in the community. The organization also continues with the community giving efforts by IFMP Youth team who raised funds to provide basic education to needy children in India and performed to entertain at area nursing homes and rehabilitation centers.
“All this has been made possible with the dedication and hard work of several committee members in the organization who have given their time and effort selflessly for the good of the community,” says Phanse. “We are also thankful to the community for responding to their efforts with record attendance at each of our events this year.”
This year’s IFMP executive committee includes Phanse as president, Bharti Shroff as vice president, Bharat Sethi as treasurer, Priya Sundararaman as secretary, Gaurav Tyagi is joint secretary. Active committee members are Deepika Kohli, Susmita Rao, Shilpa Satav, Shikha Rastogi, and Sangita Memon. The committee also includes former presidents Anand Mohan Sothi and Pradeep Gupta.
“The community interest in IFMP and its activities has increased exponentially as is clearly evident from the all time high levels of membership and business sponsorships at each of our events this year,” says Phanse. “We appreciate the outpouring of community support and promise to bring the best to the community at all events that not only includes food, games, music, dance and activities but also the holistic immersive cultural and social experience with everlasting unforgettable memories.”
IFMP Picnic, Mercer County Park East, 1346 Edinburg Road, West Windsor. Sunday, August 9, 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Free for members. $15 for non-members, $10 for seniors and students. www.ifmpnj.org. 609-297-7116.
